Beer festival raises thousands for Davenham Scouts' new hut

Davenham Scouts welcomed more than 200 people over the weekend for their second annual charity beer festival.

Over the two nights, over £4,000 was raised which will go towards the group’s new home, which was greenlit by Cheshire West and Chester Council earlier this year.

Cub leader Mike Sinfield said: “This is a fantastic result for the Davenham Scouts fundraising team.

“A lot of time and effort goes into organising these events, so it’s great to see such a fantastic profit.

“We’re hugely grateful to all of our sponsors and volunteers.

“And of course to our patrons - we hope to see them all again next year!”

Over 200 people attended the beer festival (Image: Davenham Scouts)

The 1st Davenham Scouts Group was founded in 1930 and has never had its own facility.

However, that is set to change after planning permission was granted for a new hut at Peckmill Scout Wood, off London Road.

For the past 13 years the group has been meeting outdoors at the wood, using temporary facilities such as portable toilets and a shipping container for storage.

Davenham Scouts then bought the 2.4-acre site in June 2019 and had their application for a two-storey hut greenlit in August this year, with dozens of people backing the plans.

READ MORE: Scout group founded nearly 100 years ago can finally build its new home

They have since set about fundraising for the project, beginning with the beer festival held at Davenham Cricket Club last Friday and Saturday (October 13 and 14).

Much of the costs for the event were covered by 30 sponsors, meaning that the majority of the £4,300 raised will be able to go towards the construction of the hut, with the group now working to secure an additional £2,000 in match funding.

Next up, Davenham Scouts will be selling Christmas trees with free local delivery.

However, time is running out and orders will need to be placed by October 31 by emailing 1stdavenhamscouts@gmail.com.

READ MORE: Christmas tree sale announced to help fund new Scout hut

Permission for the new scout hut was granted earlier this year (Image: CWAC)

Speaking when the plans were first approved, Mr Sinfield said: “We are delighted by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision to approve our request for planning permission at Peckmill Scout Wood.

“We would like to thank the CWAC planning department, as well as all members of the public who made positive comments on the CWAC planning portal, and our fantastic team of volunteers who pulled it all together.

“Our next step is to plan construction of the building, and turbo-charge our fundraising efforts.”